The next couple of weeks are craziness. I would make an entire list of all of the things that need to be done, but it would probably stress you out reading it and it would definitely stress me out to write it, so I’m just going to focus on one thing at a time and try not to get too overwhelmed. It’s doable and it’ll all work out. It always does. Thankfully, my family has been coming through big time. (Don’t they always?) My parents played with the boys at the pool almost all weekend and brought them home with full tummies and ready for bed. My husband spent hours in the workshop making a good dent in the built-ins for the bathroom. I had time to work on the trim and finish the shower curtains.
Today, my dad came over to help me install the new front door. Let me just say, in case there was any doubt…my dad is awesome. Putting in a door is a tedious job that involves a lot of fine tuned chiseling, precise hole-drilling and trimming a door down to the closest 1/16″, so it fits into a wonky 1940’s door frame perfectly. He was so patient and tinkered around until everything worked perfectly. I opened the box of door hardware and was ready to call in a handyman just so I didn’t have to read the directions. I like things I can “wing” and this is not one of those things. He just worked through it.
That’s checked off the list. I do need to stain and finish the interior of the door, but that can wait.
Between helping my dad, e-mail, phone calls, etc. I started thoroughly cleaning my kitchen. On Friday, a stylist and photographer are coming to my house to shoot my kitchen for Better Homes & Gardens. Insert girly squeal! Eeeeeeeeeeeeee! Like I said before, it never gets old. So, I started the process with the pot rack…
…a few of the pieces were a little dusty…
Okay, a LOT dusty! There are some pieces I rarely or never use, so those get pretty gross. I try to stick the vacuum wand up there every now and then, but clearly that isn’t cutting it. I washed everything and shined up the stainless steel pots and pans. The pieces I use all the time just needed a good polishing. I used to polish my stainless steel pans after each use, but then I had kids…and started a business…then a blog. Yeah. I don’t polish them after every use anymore!
I even gave the fridge a good scrub. How in the world does the water/ice dispenser cubby get so dirty? Well, it’s bright white and squeaky clean now.
I did get distracted from my cleaning a couple of times when the FedEx guy came and later when the UPS guy arrived. One of the boxes had something I was particularly excited about…
…and I had to open everything immediately, which always makes a mess…
You see, a couple of weeks ago, I got an e-mail from Pottery Barn (well, from one of their PR people) about working with them on promoting their new fall line. Ummm….let me think…YES! So, I started window shopping for things I liked. I found something I loved and kept thinking about it. It’s this silverware set….
…Antique Silver Sentiment Flatware. Sigh. I kept pulling it up on my iPad and iPhone and computer…thinking about it, debating, hoping that was one of the items they would send me. I have been using the same silverware I got as a wedding gift…just your basic cheap-o newlywed serving set. I’ve been adding to it over the years when I find orphan pieces at thrift store and yard sales. I never really thought about replacing it, but I had never really seen something I loved…until now. I showed it to my mom and she shared about her own flatware set she splurged on and how much she’s enjoyed it over the years.
With all of the photo shoots I do, it would be nice to have some really pretty everyday flatware. I always use my family silver and vintage Bakelite flatware. Well, they were on sale, so I decided to buy one set. (Oh, and today I got the box of goodies from Pottery Barn and they sent me one, too, so I now I have serving for eight!)
Each piece is different and has “fork”, “knife” and “spoon” engraved in the handle. I love how it gives the feeling of old, monogrammed flatware that’s been collected over time. Just my style.
Love.
It’s a busy time, but I’m sitting here at the end of the day and I feel very blessed. It’s not about getting the flatware I wanted or material things. I’m putting in a new front door and working on my bathroom and getting ready for a photo shoot and it’s all a part of my job and I love it. I used to work in the corporate world as a recruiter and I would always tell the candidates I worked with that life is just too short to spend 8+ hours a day at a job you hate. I know sometimes you have to do what you have to do, but what a special thing when you can do something you really enjoy.
I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Tomorrow, the skylight tube and bathroom lights are going in and I plan to do some shopping and more cleaning to get ready for Friday.
I have no doubt you’ll get everything on your list done…one at a time! That flatware is beautiful! I just finished a project with some antique flatware that I’ve been stockpiling for quite a while. It was nice to finally do something with some of it.
Blessings,
~Angie
So inspired by this post, Marian! I’m glad you slowed down for a few minutes today to soak it all up and to count your blessings. Not many people can say they love their job. It takes courage and determination to chase your dreams. And life truly is too short to spend it unhappy behind a corporate desk, if that’s not for you. So happy for you and all your dream-living! I am hoping to make me dreams come true, too, but I have a long road ahead of me. Thank you for continuing to inspire me!
What lovely silverware, and they definitely look like Miss Mustard Seed! Congratulations on the Pottery Barn partnership and the upcoming BH&G shoot. It’s really wonderful to see such hardworking and passionate people get great opportunities! (there I go, acting like I know you. 🙂 )
Absolutely LOVE that gorgeous silverware set!! I totally know what you mean about putting a new door in a 1940’s frame- have a couple of those frames over here and oh the fun it was getting the doors to fit, locks to line up correctly, open and close correctly, and yes, the chisel is definitely a needed tool for that! Glad your dad was there to help out!!
I love that you feel blessed. You have done so well for yourself, your hard work has paid off…and it sounds like your are still working really hard! Good for you, to take the time and give your family some appreciation (which I am sure you do every day, but printing it means a lot too). Glad you got a special treat in the mail today. Everyone deserves a little treat now and then. Good luck with your photo shoot. Your kitchen is simply amazing!!
I love following your blog.
Shawna
It’s such a beautiful thing to see you get the recognition and success you deserve. The way you have always shared so much with all of us has always been so unselfish.
That comment published before I was done. 🙂
You have always been so unselfish and kind. I feel like I’m receiving all of these blessings when I see you getting them. That’s what a spirit like yours does for people!
Enjoy every inch, every ounce of happiness this brings your way.
Squeals of excitement for you for your Better Homes & Gardens photo shoot! Well deserved:). Can’t wait to see what you do for Pottery Barn this Fall. Loving the engraved silverware, excellent choice.
I have my jealous face on .I.LOVE.THAT SET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!And the pitcher,bowls,all of it
Hey Marion,what if PB asked you to create a line of furniture for them? Wouldn’t that be ,uh, FABULOUS !
LOVE these. Pottery Barn + MMS = perfection!
Good morning, so excited for you. You give me inspiration and many others as well. Thank you for always sharing.
Pottery Barn! Are you serious! Your hard work so deserves this!
Alison
One thing at a time – you’ll get there. I’m always amazed at all you get done. Exciting things happening! Enjoy.
Your pots look great –what do you use to polish your stainless pots?
Your dad sounds like a gem. Any advice for those of us who want a new front door, but don’t have your awesome dad on hand?
Do you have any idea how RARE it is for an adult child to sing the praises of their parents? Just another reason you are awesome. And now we know exactly where you get it from!
Um, the dispenser? It’s BOYS. If they walk by something white, the dirt just jumps off of them to muck up that pretty white without them even making an effort! Well, that’s how it works at my house anyway!
I love the new flatware! Someday, when I’m a grown-up, I’m going to buy myself some gorgeous flatware…or maybe sooner, since my grandma’s set is starting to fall apart, and we only have 2 teaspoons…
You absolutely rock!!!! I am saving pennies as I am going to the local outlet for your paint and wax, etc. so I can get started on some pieces. Good luck on Friday!!!
Marian, I feel like I’m on the “Mustard Seed Train to Happiness!
All this good news is completely overwhelming. I’m so happy for your success.
I love everything you do and the sure, brave way you do it.
Pottery Barn silverware is fantastic and it will look real good on your Thanksgiving table this year.
Good luck on the Better Homes and Garden shoot..would love to see how those are done.
By the way, I painted some garden statues I have that were gold with the Grain Sack milk paint and they look wonderful! Milk paint is really lovely to work with.
Continued success and ..We LOVE YOU !!!
A wonderful giveaway!!!!,I’ll continue to enter, whether I win or not!!!!
Oh door hardware!!! I put my front door handle and dead bolt on myself 20 yrs ago when I moved into this fixer-upper. Yes, the instructions were killer! But I got it done, and was quite proud of myself. However, I recently took it all off and had it re-plated with ORB to match all the new crystal door knobs I put in my house this past year — and let me tell you putting it all back together withOUT instructions this time was an all day ordeal! I thought I was never going to figure it out. I almost caved and called in a locksmith, but I persevered and FINALLY got it to all work. Phew!!!! So, when do we get to see pics of the new door!! 🙂
That’s such a fun flatware set! Love it!
Hang in there! and YAY for the little things like flatware that make you smile! I picked up a mint smiley face dustpan from World Market this weekend and just seeing it perks me up!
Marian, I just lost my handyman dad 5 weeks ago; the reason I’m late catching up on your blog. he was wonderful and loved wood working; I miss him so much!! Give your dad an extra hug and tell him again how special he is!! We were blessed!!
What a GREAT package to read about–MMS and PB, my two FAVE things and places!!
A little tip for the pots and pans–I use the powder called Cameo. I know that Bar Keepers Friend is good but I prefer the Cameo over the bar keepers. I use the powder every time I cook in the pans. I have found that my pans are still like brand new!! They shine and don’t stain. I don’t put them in the dishwasher because the dishwasher soap will dull them and I have to use the Cameo anyway after to shine and get the dullness off, I feel it is just as quick to wash the pots while the dishwasher is going.
Your house will be picture perfect for the shoot and since PB wants to use you for the promo, I am moving in with you!!!:)) Someday I want to grow up and be like MMS:)
Your parents must be smiling so big for you. They were blessed with a great daughter. I am SOOOOOOOOO excited for you!!!!!! I felt your smile as you wrote this and heard that squeal in the hills of Texas:)
You deserve all these GREAT blessings.
Good Luck–take lots of pictures for us:)
I’m so happy for you, Marian! You inspire me to dream big dreams and go for it. 🙂
It’s an awesome article in support of all the internet people;
they will take advantage from it I am sure.